The parents of a 13-year-old boy are accused of manslaughter following the death of a 30-year-old tourist in Naples, Italy. Their son is alleged to have thrown a statuette from a balcony, striking the woman during her birthday celebration.

Tourist Fatally Struck in Naples

Chiara Jaconis, a 30-year-old woman, died after being hit by a 2kg statuette thrown from a balcony in Naples’ Spanish Quarters in 2024. Jaconis, originally from Italy but residing in Paris, was walking with her boyfriend, Livio Rousseau, when the incident occurred.

Details of the Incident

CCTV footage captured the moment Jaconis was struck by the falling object and collapsed. Rousseau immediately called for help as Jaconis lay motionless. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to severe traumatic brain injuries two days later.

Legal Proceedings and Parental Responsibility

The juvenile accused of throwing the statuette was initially cleared by a juvenile court due to his age. However, prosecutors are now pursuing charges against his parents, arguing they failed to adequately supervise their son.

Prosecution's Argument

Prosecutors point to reports of the boy engaging in similar dangerous behavior in the past, suggesting a pattern of recklessness. They argue Jaconis’s death was preventable with more responsible parenting. The parents deny any wrongdoing, claiming the statuette did not belong to them and appealing the court’s decision regarding their son.

Investigation and Public Reaction

The investigation is also examining the presence of other individuals, including minors, in the apartment at the time of the incident. Jaconis and Rousseau were on their way to the airport, intending to travel to Padua, when the tragedy occurred.

National Conversation and Tributes

The case has sparked a national conversation in Italy regarding parental responsibility and public safety. Numerous tributes have been paid to Jaconis’s memory, including a candlelit vigil in Naples’ Spanish Quarters.

Naples’ Mayor Gaetano Manfredi described Jaconis’s death as “a great sorrow, a tragedy that deeply affects us all.” Jaconis, a store manager for Prada, had previously worked for the fashion house in France.

Upcoming Hearing and Potential Precedent

A preliminary hearing in the case against the parents is scheduled for June 26. The outcome is expected to set a precedent for similar cases involving parental responsibility and juvenile actions. The weight of the statuette – just over 2kg – and the ten-metre fall contributed to the severity of Jaconis’s injuries.